Coin-controlled actuator



Jan. 3, 1967 M. A. HALL 3,295,650

COIN- CONTROLLED ACTUATOR Original Filed April 27, 1964 5 Sheets-Sheet 1INVENTOR.

MITCHELL A. HALL BY M ATTORNEYS Jan. 3, 1967 M. A. HALL COIN'CONTROLLEDACTUATOR 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Original Filed April 27, 1964 R f W WM A m H CW M FIG-4 V ATTORNEYS Jan. 3, 1967 M. A. HALL 3,295,650

I COIN-CONTROLLED ACTUATOR Original Filed April 2'7, 1964 5 Sheets-Sheet3 FIG-12 I ll 70 )2 FIG-14 INVENTOR.

MITCHELL A. HALL ATTORNEYS Jan. 3, 1967 M. A. HALL 3,295,650

COIN- CONTROLLED ACTUATOR Original Filed April 27, 1964 5 Sheets-Sheet 4FIG-2O INVENTOR.

MITCHELL A. HALL ATTORNEYS Jan. 3, 1967 M. A. HALL 3,295,650

CQIN'CONTROLLED ACTUATOR Driginal Filed April 1964 5 Sheets-Sheet 5FIG-21 24 27a 24 l c c 1 1 220 250 242 26 INVENTOR.

Y MITCHELL A. HALL ATTORNEYS Patented. .Ian. 3, 1967 3,295,650COIN-QUNTRULLED ACTUATOR Mitchell A. Hall, 445 Rossfcrd Ave., FortThomas, Ky. 41075 Original application Apr. 27, 1964, Ser. No. 363,014,new Patent No. 3,231,959, dated .Ian. 25, 1966. Divided and thisapplication Mar. 4, 1965, Ser. No. 442,846 15 Claims. (Cl. 194-1) Thisapplication is a division of my application Serial No. 363,014, filedApril 27, 1964, now issued as US. Patent No. 3,231,059, dated January25, 1966.

The present invention relates to a coin-controlled actuator, such as maybe utilized for initiating operation of a dispensing machine or thelike. The coin-controlled actuator of the invention is one of the typewhich is designed to initiate operation of an associated machine,following two or more reciprocations of a coin slide incorporated in theactuator An object of the invention is to provide an improved mechanismwhich is highly reliable and effective, to initiate operation of anassociated service machine following two or more reciprocation of a coinslide.

Another object of the invention is to provide a durable and trouble-freecoin-controlled actuator for the purpose stated, which may quickly andeasily be converted for varying the number of coin slide reciprocationsrequired to initiate operation of an associated service machine.

A further object is to provide an improved coin-controlled mechanism ofthe character stated, which is foolproof to a high degree andpractically invulnerable to abusive forms of manipulation designed toobtain free play or unauthorized operation of the associated machine.

The foregoing and other objects are attained by the means describedherein and illustrated upon the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG, 1 is a perspective view of a coin-controlled actuator embodying thepresent invention.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of an indexing unit forming partof the invention.

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the indexing unit, showing its operatingrelationship to a starter of a machine to be placed in operation,

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the apparatus illustrated by FIG. 1, withthe coin slide thereof fully retracted and the machine starter at homeposition.

FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 4, showing the coin slide under partialretraction.

FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 3, but indicating an inoperativecondition of the indexing unit.

FIG. 7 is a plan view of a cam wheel of the indexing unit, in theinoperative condition.

FIG. 8 is a view similar to FIG. 7, showing the cam wheel in theoperative condition.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a machine starter and onerelationship thereof to an indexable interceptor carried by the indexingunit.

FIG. 10 is a side elevational view of the FIG. 9 elements, in adifferent relationship.

FIGS. 11 to 15, inclusive, are views similar to FIG. 10 showing theelements in various progressive relationships occurring incident tomovements of the coin slide carrying the indexing unit.

FIG. 16 is a top plan view of a modification.

FIG. 17 is a side elevational view of an indexing unit illustrated inplan upon FIG. 16.

FIG. 18 is a bottom plan view of the indexing unit per se, shown in theinoperative position.

FIG. 19 is a view similar to FIG. 18, showing the indexing unit inoperative position.

FIG. 20 is a plan view similar to FIG. 19, showing an interceptor of theindexing unit in cushioning condition. FIG. 21 is a top plan view of asecond modification.

FIG. 22 is a side elevation of the FIG. 21 structure.

FIG. 23 is a top plan view of an indexing unit included in FIG. 21, butshown in a condition of inoperativeness.

FIG. 24 is a perspective detail view illustrating a rocker element andlatch assembly as employed in the second modification.

With reference to FIGS. 1 to 3, the numeral 24 indicates a coin slidereciprocatively supported by a normally stationary base plate 26 whichprovides a track for the coin slide. Plate 26 may extend forwardly tothe end 28 of a mounting bracket 30, which bracket has an upstanding leg32 for attachment to a vertical wall of a cabinet (not shown), enclosinga dispensing machine or a service machine. When the coin slide is fullyretracted as in FIG. 1, apertures 34 therein are exposed upon bracket 30for the reception of coins. By means of a handle 36 on the coin slide, apatron upon inserting the proper coins may advance the slide forconveying the coins to a receptacle 38 on bracket 39, which accumulatesthe coins dropped from apertures 34. The fully advanced condition of theslide is illustrated by FIG. 5.

Base plate 26 and a stationary cover plate 40 therefor, may carry theusual coin testing devices such as calipers, magnets, stop fingers 42and the like, to assure the rejection of improper coins and slugs. Suchtesting devices are of no concern to the present invention, and need nottherefore be treated in detail.

In that form of the device illustrated by FIGS, 1 to 15, the numeral 44indicates generally a starter in the form of an arm associated with ashaft 46, which shaft extends into the housing 48 of a drum switch ofordinary design. The drum switch may encase a number of electriccontacts, and a synchronous electric motor for at times driving theshaft 46 in clockwise-direction. In the home position of FIG. 1, starter44 and shaft 46 are at rest. If starter 44 were to be grasped and turnedslightly to the right, as in FIG. 3, it would impart slight rotation toshaft 46 for closing an electric circuit through the drum switch motor,thereby causing the motor to drive the shaft slowly in clockwisedirection until starter 44 again reaches the home position of FIG. 1.Whenever starter 44 is in the home position, at which it issubstantially perpendicular to the path of coin slide advancement, thecircuit of the shaft-driving motor is broken, leaving the starter andshaft 46 at rest.

During power-rotation of shaft 46, various contacts within the drumswitch are successively engaged and disengaged to close and open variouselectric circuits which actuate a dispensing machine, such as, forexample, a clothing washer designed to execute a succession of washing,rinsing, and drying operations timed by the drum switch when activated.Thus, the switch during one rotation of its shaft 46, initiates acomplete series of operations upon a batch of clothing in return forcoins deposited in the coin slide.

The coin mechanism includes means whereby a plurality of completereciprocations of its coin slide are required for actuating the starterof the dispensing machine. That is, the patron must insert proper coinsin the coin slide, then advance and retract the slide, then insertproper coins again, and advance and retract the slide again, this to berepeated three times in the example illustrated by FIGS. 1 to 15, inorder to effect operation of the dispensing machine starter 44. Thus, awashing operation costing cents may be obtained, by depositing a quarterand a nickel in the coin slide three times, accompanied by threecomplete reciprocations of the coin slide. With slight modification ofthe mechanism, the required repetition may be reduced to two, orincreased to four or more, as will be explained. The coin slideapertures 34 may be dimensioned to receive coins of any denomination, ortokens if desired.

With regard to starter 44, it is noted that shaft 46 thereof carries afixed laterally extending pin 50. A

head 52 is rotationally mounted upon shaft 46, and includes an extension54 into which is threaded an adjusting screw 56 whose forward end mayabut a side of pin 50. Starter arm 44 is fixed to head 52. A coil spring58 (FIG. 9) is arranged to yieldingly urge head 52 in clockwisedirection of rotation relative to shaft 46, thereby to normally maintainscrew 56 in abutment with the side of pin 50. Since starter arm 44 isfixed to head 52, the head may be rotated by means of arm 44, in eithera clockwise or a counterclockwise direction.

If head 52 is rotated clockwise by means of starter arm 44, screw 56will advance the pin 50 in the same direction, for rotating shaft 46.Shaft 46, as before explained, will in the early stage of its rotationclose the electric contacts of a synchronous motor within housing 48,which slowly drives shaft 46 through a cycle of rotation until the shaftand its associated head elements again reach the normal startingposition of FIGS. 1, 4 and 9. During the rotation cycle of shaft 46, thedrum switch driven by the shaft will successively close and openelectrical circuits to execute the washing, rinsing, and dryingoperations previously mentioned.

Should head 52 be rotated in the opposite, or counterclockwisedirection, by means of starter arm 44, screw 56 will simply back awayfrom pin 50 without causing rotation of shaft 46. Spring 58, however,will tend always to return the head to intial position, with screw 56abutting pin 50 as in FIG. 3. Thus, it will be understood that thespring-biased head constitutes in effect a one-way clutch.

In the light of the foregoing explanation, it is apparent thatadvancement of the coin slide 24 in FIG. 1 may cause a slide-supportedinterceptor 60 to strike starter arm 44 and rotate the lattercounterclockwise, without imparting rotation to shaft 46. This conditionis illustrated by FIG. 10. Now as interceptor 60 moves farther, andpasses beyond the starter arm 44, the latter will under the influence ofspring 58 snap back to initial position, FIG. 13. Upon retraction of thecoin slide (FIGS. 14 and interceptor 60 may strike the starter arm andmove it clockwise into position for initiating motor rotation of shaft46, see also FIG. 3. Interceptor 60 under certain conditions may avoidstriking and moving the starter arm during retraction of the coin slide,as indicated by FIG. 12, and as will be explained later.

The rear or inner end of coin slide 24 carries a unit for indexing theinterceptor 60 to the starter 44, so that the interceptor may actuatethe starter only after a required number of coin slide reciprocationshas been executed by the patron, with the deposit of a required numberof coins. The indexing unit may comprise a frame 62 demountably fixed tocoin slide 24 by means of screws 64, the frame being on two levels withan intervening post 66 between (FIG. 2). At one side of the frame isprovided guide means 68 for vertically guiding the interceptor 60 in itsvertical movements to elevated and lowered positions. Interceptor 60when lowered, will strike and move the starter 44; when elevated, theinterceptor will ride over the top of the starter without contacting it.

Interceptor 60 is to be elevated and lowered by means of a rockerelement 70 which is pivoted at 72 upon the frame by means of pintles 74carried by the rocker element. The rocker element includes a finger 76having pivotal connection with the interceptor at '78.

Rocker element 70 has formed thereon, along the axis of pintles 74, arigid carn follower 80 to be actuated by a cam for bodily rocking therocker element and elevating and lowering the interceptor 60. The rockerelement may carry also a leaf spring 79 to rest against the underside ofthe indexing frame, for biasing the rocker element away from the frameunderside. Such biasing of the rocker element may be performedalternatively, or assisted by, a spiral tension spring 82 reaching froma fixed lug 84 of the frame to an extending lug 86 on the rockerelement. One of the springs 79 or 82 may be eliminated, if desired.

Upon frame 62, in the vicinity of cam follower 80, is rotatably mounteda cam wheel 90 which has formed upon its periphery a series of equallyspaced ratchet teeth 106. Wheel 90 carries also a centrally bored hub 94flanked by cams 96 and 98 which are adapted to actuate the follower aswheel step-rotates about its stud 100. Step-rotation of wheel 90 isclockwise, with a pawl 102 precluding retrograde movement of the wheel.A spring 104 urges the pawl against the teeth 106 of the cam wheel. Afriction washer 108 may be interposed between cam wheel 90 and itssupporting frame, to impose a slight drag opposing rotation of thewheel.

With each complete reciprocation of coin slide 24, the cam wheel isrotated a distance equal to the space between two adjacent teeth 106 ofthe cam wheel. Such partial rotation of the cam wheel is effected by apawl 110 which may comprise an elongate resilient wire 112 having amounting end 114 anchored, as by means of screw 116, to a stationarypart of the apparatus, for example plate 40, which does not move withcoin slide 24.

Whenever coin slide 24 is properly fed with coins, and advanced by meansof handle 36, the cam wheel 90 and its supporting frame, advance bodilytherewith toward starter 44. With sufficient advancement, cam wheel 90will reach and pass the stationary pawl 110, the pawl gliding over atooth 106 of the cam wheel without rotating said wheel. However, on thereturn or retractile stroke of the coin slide, pawl 110 will engage orhook onto an exposed tooth 106 of the cam wheel, as in FIG. 5, to rotatethe cam wheel a distance equal to the space between two successive teethof the cam wheel. This action may bring cam 96 into the FIG. 5 positionfor rocking the follower 80 outwardly from the cam wheel, thereby toelevate rocker element 70 and interceptor 60 to the position of FIG. 12,at which the interceptor 60 avoids contact with starter 44. Starter 44accordingly will not be actuated by interceptor 60, and consequently noaction will have been initiated to place an associated dispensingmachine in operation.

It may be noted that whenever follower 80 is on one of the earns 96 or98, interceptor '60 will be held thereby in the elevated or inoperativeposition of FIG. 12, to preclude actuation of starter 44 by theinterceptor. On the other hand, when follower 80 is off of the cams asin 'FIGS. 14, 15, 8 and 9, the interceptor will be lowered to anoperative position for striking and moving the starter as coin slide 24retracts, thereby to initiate operation of a dispensing machine byreason of starter 44 being moved by interceptor 60 to the operativeposition of FIG. 3, in cident to retraction of coin slide 24 to theright. Retraction of coin slide 24 may be effected or assisted by theaction of a coil spring 118 attached thereto.

In the example illustrated by FIGS. 1 through 15, the cam wheel 90carries two cams 96 and 98, and a series of ratchet teeth 1% numberingsix. The cams are so arranged relative to the ratchet teeth and follower80, that one of the cams will keep follower 80 depressed during twocomplete reciprocations of coin slide 24 (FIGS. 6 and 7). Incident to athird complete reciprocation of the coin slide, said one cam will passbeyond the follower (FIG. 8), permitting the follower to move toward thecam wheel axis, and thereby lower the interceptor 60 to the operativeposition of FIG. 14 for engaging and actuating the starter 44. Thus, atevery third complete reciprocation of the coin slide, interceptor 60will be positioned to actuate starter 44 as the coin slide move toretracted position. By altering the number of cams and/ or ratchet teethon cam wheel 91), the number of coin slide reciprocations needed foractuating the starter may be increased or decreased, to meet differentfee requirements. Various fee requirements may be met further bysubstituting coin lides having coin apertures 34 dimensioned to receivecoins of different denominations.

The reference character 121) indicates simply a guide of stiff butresilient wire, secured to frame 62, and arranged to guide the pawl 110and prevent its slipping off the ratchet teeth of cam wheel 90 whilerotating the cam wheel.

In the modification illustrated by FIGS. 16 through 20, the starter fora service machine or dispenser may be in the form of a normally openelectric pushbutton switch 122, the button of which is indicated at 124.The interceptor in this instance may be an elongate plunger or bar 126which may be swung laterally into and out of longitudinal alignment withbutton 124, so that the interceptor may depress the switch button ifaligned therewith, or avoid depressing the switch button when displacedfrom alignment. Disalignment of interceptor 126 is shown by broken linesin FIG. 16, and by full lines in FIG. 18.

The coin lide 24 of FIG. 16 may be similar to that of FIG. 1 in allrespects, excepting the construction of the indexing unit affixedthereto. The indexing unit 128 may be constituted of two plates 130 and132, secured to one another on different levels by means of bolts 134.The same bolts or fasteners may be employed to mount the plate unit uponthe forward end portion of coin slide 24, detachably by preference, inorder to provide for ready substitution of index units.

Plate 132 includes two depending wings 136 and 138, which serve tosupport the interceptor 126 in substantial parallelism with the plate.Wing 136 is provided with an elongate horizontal slot 140 within whichthe interceptor 126 may be laterally shifted from the operative positionof FIG. 19, to the inoperative or offset position of FIG. 18. A slot 142of lesser length is provided in wing 138, to receive and support theshank of the interceptor for pivot movement laterally. The slots 140 and142, as indicated by FIG. 20, allow also for longitudinal displacementof the interceptor in opposition to the force of a spring 144, occurringincident to depressing the switch button 124 to its limit of depression.Spring 144 may be anchored to wing 136, and to the head 146 of theinterceptor, as shown, for normally holding the head yieldingly againstwing 138 as in FIGS. 19 or 18.

The upper plate 130 of the indexing unit may be provided with a pair ofdepending perforate ears 148 to pivotally support the outwardlyextending pintles 150 of a rocker element 152. A leaf spring 154 rivetedto the rocker element at 156, or equivalent resilient means, may beemployed for yieldingly rotating the rocker element about its pivots151) away from plate 130, in order to spring-bias an elongate latch 158which at its end 161 is fixed to the rocker element. The opposite end162 of the latch depends through an opening 164 in plate 132, and mayfall alongside the interceptor 126 as in FIGS. 16, 19 and 20, tomaintain a straight-forward disposition of the interceptor in alignmentwith switch button 124. In the alternative, latch end 162 may be liftedabove interceptor 126 as in FIGS. 17 and 18, to permit a disaligned oroblique disposition of interceptor 126 by the action of spring 144 (FIG.l8).

The head 146 of interceptor 126 may be provided with an extending rigidfinger 166, which as shown in FIG. 16, engages a stationary abutment 168each time the coin slide 24 is fully retracted, to swing the interceptorto straight-forward operative position. The interceptor may or may notremain in said operative position, upon subsequent coin slideadvancement, depending upon whether or not latch 158 moves to thelatching position of FIG. 19. If latch 158 does not move to latchingposition, interceptor 126 will move to the oblique position of FIG. 18as soon as finger 166 leaves abutment 168 incident to an advancement ofthe coin slide. As was previously mentioned, spring 144 normally biasesthe interceptor toward the oblique position.

The movements of latch 158 are controlled by cams 170, 170, which attimes may exert outward force against a cam follower 172, the latterbeing preferably an integral part of rocker element 152. Cams 1'70 arefixed upon a cam wheel 174, which may be rotatably mounted upon plate bymeans of a stud screw 1'76. Cam wheel carries also a series ofperipheral teeth 178, whereby step-rotation of the wheel is effectedincident to each retractile movement of coin slide reciprocation. Aspringpressed dog pivoted upon plate 130 at 1132, engages teeth 178 topreclude retrograde rotation of the cam wheel, so that the cam wheel maybe rotated only in one direction.

For rotating the cam wheel 174 in stepping fashion, there is provided apawl 184 constituted of an upturned end of an elongate wire 186, theopposite end 188 of which wire is anchored at 190 to the stationarycover plate 40 of the coin slide. The wire has limited lateralresiliency, so that as coin slide 24 is advanced (to the left in FIG.16), pawl 184 may glide over and past the teeth of the cam wheel,without rotating the wheel, as the entire indexing device advancesbodily with the coin slide. By the time the coin slide reaches theposition of full advancement, cam wheel will have moved to the leftcompletely beyond pawl 184.

Upon subsequent retraction of the coin slide, pawl 184 will engage oneof the teeth 178 of the cam wheel, for rotating the wheel a distanceequal to the space between successive teeth thereof. Such partialrotation of the cam wheel moves a cam 170 relative to follower 172. Aslong as follower 172 remains upon a cam 170, the rocker element andlatch 158 will be held elevated to the fullline position of FIG. 17,leaving interceptor 126 free to move to the oblique position of FIG. 18upon advance-- ment of the coin slide, so that the interceptor isdisaligned relative to switch button 124. However, if a cam 1'71 movespast the follower, allowing the follower to leave the cam, spring 154will tilt the rocker element and latch 158 downwardly to the broken lineposition of FIG. 17, at which the latch end 162 engages a side ofinterceptor 126 to hold the interceptor in straight-forward alignedrelationship with switch button 124 (FIG. 19). Accordingly, a fulladvancement of coin slide 24, along with interceptor 126, causes theinterceptor to depress button 124, and close the contacts of switch 122for initiating actuation of a service machine or dispenser.

To preclude damaging the switch 122 by possible excessive depression ofits button 124, interceptor 126 may be cushioned by spring 144, FIG. 20,to relieve excessive pressure upon the switch button 124. That is,interceptor 126 may to some extent move bodily lengthwisethrough slots140 and 142, after having fully depressed button 124.

In FIG. 16, the reference numeral 194- indicates simply a resilient wireguide anchored at 196 upon plate 131), to ensure that pawl 184 willremain engaged with a tooth of wheel 174 while step-rotating said wheelduring reciprocation of the coin slide. The character 198 indicates atension spring for returning, or assisting return, of the coin slide toretracted position. For the purpose, one end of spring 198 may be fixedto plate 132 at 206, whereas the opposite end thereof may be attached toa stationary part 2il2 of the coin slide support.

In the example illustrated by FIGS. 16 through 20, the cam wheel 174carries two cams 170, 170, and a series of ratchet teeth 178 numberingsix. The cams are so arranged relative to the ratchet teeth and follower172, that one of the cams will keep follower 1'72 depressed during twocomplete reciprocations of coin slide 24. In-

cident to a third reciprocation of the coin slide, said one cam willpass beyond the follower, permitting the follower to move toward the camwheel axis and thereby lower the latch 158 to operative position forlatching the interceptor 126 in straight-forward position, for engagingstarter 124 upon subsequent advancement of the coin slide. Thus, atevery third complete reciprocation of the coin slide, interceptor 126will be positioned to actuate starter 124.

By altering the number of cams and/ or ratchet teeth on cam wheel 174,the number of coin slide reciprocations needed for actuating the servicemachine starter may be increased or decreased, to meet different feerequirements of the apparatus. Various fee requirements may be metfurther, by substituting coin slides 24 having coin aperturesdimensioned to receive coins of different denominations. In thisconnection, it should be understood that the coin slide of FIG. 16 maybe identical to that of FIG. 1. Starter 122 may be an electric switch asindicated, or a starter in any other form capable of being actuated byan interceptor such as 126.

The second modification of the apparatus, illustrated by FIGS. 21through 24, includes a coin slide 24 like that of FIGS. 1 and 16,reciprocable to advanced and retracted positions upon a stationary baseplate 26, and having associated therewith the usual stationary coverplate 40 carrying appropriate coin testing devices as previouslyexplained. The retracted and advanced positions of coin slide 24 areindicated in full lines and broken lines, respectively, upon FIGS. 21and 22.

The starter to be actuated incident to movement of the coin slide, is inthis instance shown as a rotary cam 206 fixed upon the rotary shaft 208of a starter box 210, wherein may be housed an electric switch or othermechanism actuated by a rocking movement of shaft 208 to initiateoperation of a dispenser or service machine. Cam 206 has an inclined camtrack 214 to be struck by an interceptor 216 carrying a roller 212, theroller serving to climb upon the track for imparting partial rotation tostarter shaft 208. A spring 218 may be applied to shaft 208 forreturning cam 206 to a normally inoperative position wherever the cam isfree of contact with roller 212. The roller is adapted to rotate the camand shaft 208 to an operative rotated position, for placing the servicemachine in operation.

Interceptor 216 may be in the form of a substantially L-shaped armhaving a down-turned end 219 carrying the roller 212, and an oppositeend 220 having pivotal connection at 222 upon a lower frame-plate 224.Plate 224 comprises one part of a frame 226 attached to coin slide 24,which frame includes also an upper plate 228 spaced from and fixed tothe lower plate by an upright strut 230. Lower plate 224 may bedetachably fixed to the upper face of coin slide 24, by means of screws23-2. Plates 224 and 228 are parallel to the coin slide, and are fixedrelative thereto.

Interce tor 216 is movable about pivot 222, to either the operativeposition of FIG. 21, at which it may strike and actuate the starter 206,or to the inoperative position of FIG. 23, at which the interceptor iswithdrawn to an oblique position. When in the inoperative or obliqueposition of FIG. 23, roller 212 of the interceptor will not reach andactuate starter 206 upon full advancement of coin slide 24. Accordingly,such disposition of the interceptor permits actuation of the coin slidewithout activation of a service machine controlled by starter 206.However, when the interceptor is in the operative or extended positionof FIG. 21, it will upon full advancement of the coin slide, reach andactuate starter 206 for placing the service machine in operation.

Means in the form of a latch 234 is provided, for controlling theposition of interceptor 216. The latch may be a strip of metal having aturned end 236 to be placed in obstructing and non-obstructing positionsrelative to interceptor 216. In FIGS. 21 and 22, latch end 236 restsbehind an edge of interceptor 216 to preclude rotation thereof aboutpivot 222 in clockwise direction, thereby to hold the interceptor in theoperative extended position for actuating the starter 206 upon fulladvancement of the coin slide. Whenever latch end 236 is lifted upwardlyout of obstructing relationship with the interceptor, the interceptormay swing clockwise to the inoperative position of FIG. 23, due to thepull of a small spring 238 attached to the interceptor and to frameplate 224. In the elevated position of latch 234, its end 236 overliesinterceptor 216, without interferring with pivotal movement of theinterceptor.

When-latch 234 is lowered, as in FIG. 22, its end 236 may enter a slot240 in plate 224 for purpose of stability in holding the interceptorextended.

A rocker element 242 has fixed connection to the latch at 244, andincludes opposed pintles 246 whereby the rocker element is pivoted uponperforate depending ears 248 formed upon plate 228. Fixed also to therocker element is a leaf spring 250, which bears against the bottom ofplate 228, to bias the rocker element and latch 234 downwardly away fromthe plane of said plate. Along its rear edge, the rocker element carriesa rigid cam follower 252.

Upon the top of plate 228 is rotatably mounted, by means of a stud screw254, a cam wheel 256 which carries a series of cams 258 clustered aboutstud 254 in position to strike and move the follower 252 as the camWheel rotates. When a cam strikes the follower, the follower is movedoutwardly to lift the latch 234 and free the interceptor 216.Conversely, when a cam 258 passes by and leaves follower 252, the latch234 drops downwardly, aided by leaf spring 250, to place latch end 236in obstructing relationship with interceptor 216 (FIG. 22).

Means are provided for step-rotating cam Wheel 256, upon each retractilemovement of coin slide 24. Such means may include a series of equallyspaced ratchet teeth 260 on the periphery of the cam wheel, to beengaged by a paWl 262 which is fixed with relation to the coin slidemovement. The pawl may consist of an upturned end of a stiff elongatewire 264 anchored at 266 upon the stationary cover plate 40 of the coinslide. Wire 264 may have limited lateral resiliency, so that as coinslide 24 is moved to the left, carrying with it the ratchet wheel 256,the teeth of said wheel will glide past pawl 262 without rotating theratchet wheel. Moreover, any counterclockwise rotation of the ratchetwheel by pawl 262, is precluded by a spring-pressed dog 268 adapted toengage a ratchet wheel tooth.

Upon retraction of coin slide 24 from the broken line position of FIGS.21 and 22, or to the right, pawl 262 will engage a tooth of the ratchetwheel for step-rotating the wheel a distance of one tooth. Such rotationof the ratchet wheel may place a cam 256 in engagement with follower252, as in FIG. 23, to elevate latch 236 and free the interceptor 216for movement to the oblique or inoperative position shown. Accordingly,the next full advancement of coin slide 24 will fail to actuate starter206, because the displaced interceptor of FIG. 23 will not reach thestarter.

A subsequent full advancement and retraction of the coin slide, willagain bring a tooth of the ratchet wheel in engagement with pawl 262,this time resulting in movement of a cam 258 away from follower 252(FIG. 21), thereby permitting the follower to move toward the axis ofthe ratchet wheel. The latch 2 34 thereupon will drop down (FIG. 22),aided by spring 250, causing latch end 236 to enter slot 240 and furnishan obstruction to clockwise displacement of interceptor 216. Theinterceptor therefore, will be held by latch end 236 in the operativeposition of FIG. 21, so that a subsequent full advancement of the coinslide will cause interceptor roller 212 to actuate the starter 206, andthereby activate the service machine controlled by the starter.

From the foregoing, it will be understood that the g ratchet wheel, pawl262, and latch 23 i, constitute an indexing means for interceptor 216.

It may here be noted that stationary cover plate 40 carries a fixedabutment, shown in FIG. 21 as a rigid rod 270, adapted to abut and moveinterceptor 216 to the operative position upon each full retraction ofthe coin slide. Whether or not the interceptor will remain in thatposition when the coin slide is next advanced, depends upon thedisposition of latch 234 as determined by the presence or absence of acam 25 8 in positioning the follower 252. Under the conditions depictedby FIG. 21, interceptor 216 is held in operative position by latch 234,for actuating the starter 206 upon full advancement of the coin slide.If follower 252 in FIG. 21 were on a cam 258, latch 234 would bewithdrawn from obstructing relationship with interceptor 21 and aforward advancement of the coin slide would therefore permit theinterceptor to assume the inoperative position of FIG. 23.

In each of FIGS. 21, 22 and 23, the numeral 272 indicates a tensionspring arranged to normally assist retraction of coin slide 24,substantially as explained in the description of FIGS. 1 and 16. Thenumeral 274 indicates a wire guide operative to ensure engagement ofpawl 262 with a tooth of ratchet wheel 256 while the coin slide andindexing means are under retraction, as explained in the description ofFIGS. 1 and 16.

In the example illustrated by FIGS. 21 through 24, the ratchet wheel 256is shown as having six teeth and three cams, these being arranged sothat every other complete reciprocation of the coin slide will result indisposition of interceptor 216 to operative position. The number of camsand ratchet teeth, however, is subject to variation in order that thenumber of coin slide reciprocations needed to actuate the servicemachine starter may be altered. Furthermore, the coin slide may be provided with coin-receptive apertures dimensioned to accommodate coins ofvarious denominations, thereby to establish a proper fee for the servicedesired.

The coin slide and the indexing device of FIGS. 21 through 24 may bequite similar to those described in explaining FIGS. 1 and 16, and aresubject to the same modifications for altering the fee requirements. Asin FIGS. 1 and 16, the modified device of FIG. 21 may carry an indexingunit which is bodily detachable from the coin slide, for purpose ofsubstitution. The nature of the coin testing devices applied to theseveral forms of coin-controlled actuation herein disclosed, is a matterof immateriality to the present invention.

It is to be understood that various modifications and changes may bemade in the structural details of the devices herein disclosed, withinthe scope of the appended claims, without departing from the spirit ofthe invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A coin-controlled actuator for a service machine starter, whichstarter is movable from a normally inoperative position to an operativeposition, said actuator comprising in combination: an elongatecoin-receptive coin slide, a support therefor along which the coin slideis manually shiftable longitudinally between a normal position ofretraction and an extended position of advancement, a starterinterceptor, means on the coin slide supporting the interceptor fordisposition to one of two positions upon each full advancement of thecoin slide, and, at one of which positions the interceptor strikes andmoves the starter to operative position, and at the second of whichpositions the interceptor avoids moving the starter to operativeposition, and means indexing the interceptor to operative position onlyupon execution of a plural number of coin slide reciprocations.

2. A coin-controlled actuator for a service machine starter including anarm shiftable from a normal inoperative position to an operativeposition, said actuator comprising in combination: an elongatecoin-receptive coin slide, and means supporting the coin slide formanual reciprocation between a normal position of retraction and anextended position of advancement, a frame fixedly mounted upon one endof the coin slide, an upright guide on the frame, and an elongateinterceptor bar slidable in the guide transversely of the path ofmovement of the coin slide, said interceptor bar being movable betweenan operative position at which said bar strikes and moves the starterarm to operative position, and an inoperative position at which said baravoids striking said interceptor bar, upon reciprocation of the coinslide, a rocker element comprising an extending arm and a rigid camfollower, means pivoting the rocker element upon the frame near the camfollower, and means pivoting the rocker arm upon an end of theinterceptor bar, whereby pivoting of the rocker element upon the framedisposes said interceptor bar to the operative and inoperative positionsthereof, a movable cam means on the frame to engage and disengage thefollower upon movement of the cam means, and means including astationary pawl carried by the slide support means, operative to movethe cam means and maintain the rocker element in position formaintaining an inoperative condition of the interceptor bar during apredetermined number of reciprocations of the coin slide.

3. The combination as set forth in claim 2, wherein the frame carryingthe cam means, the rocker element, and the interceptor bar, isdetachable from the coin slide for purpose of substitution.

4. A coin-controlled actuator for a service machine starter including ananm shiftable from a normal inoperative position, to an operativeposition for initiating actuation of the service machine, said actuatorcomprising in combination: an elongate coin-receptive coin slide, andmeans supporting the coin slide for manual reciprocation between anormal position of retraction and an extended position of advancement, aframe detachabiy mounted upon one end of the coin slide for bodilymovement therewith, a guide on the frame, and an elongate interceptorbar slidable in the guide transversely of the path of reciprocation ofthe coin slide, said interceptor bar being shiftable between anoperative position at which said bar strikes and moves the starter armto operative position, and an inoperative position at which said baravoids striking said intercept-or bar, upon reciprocation of the coinslide, a nocker element comprising an extending arm and a rigid camfollower, means pivoting the rocker element upon the frame near the camfollower, and means pivoting the rocker arm upon an end of theinterceptor bar, whereby pivotal movement of the rocker element upon theframe disposes said interceptor bar to the operative and inoperativepositions thereof, a cam wheel rotatable upon the frame, a plurality ofcams on said wheel each adapted, upon rotation of the cam wheel, to abutand depress the cam follower for rocking the rocker element anddisposing the interceptor bar to inoperative position, and means forimparting steprotation to the cam wheel incident to each completereciprocation of the coin slide, for exposing the follower to movementby the cams, the cams each being of such length as to depress thefollower once during at least two successive reciprocations of the coinslide.

5. The device as set forth in claim 4, wherein the combination includesmeans for y-ieldingly urging the interceptor bar constantly toward theoperative osition thereof.

6. A coin-controlled actuator comprising in combination: a servicemachine starter including a rotary drumswitch shaft having a free end, ahead on the free end of said shaft, and cooperative over-running clutchmeans on the head and the shaft whereby rotation of the head in onedirection only may impart rotation to the shaft, an extending arm fixedupon the starter head for disposition at a normal inoperative positionof extension,

an elongate coin-receptive coin slide, and means supporting the coinslide for manual reciprocation at substantial right angles to the normaldirection of extension of the starter arm, the coin slide beingreciprocable between a normal position of retraction and an extendedposition of advancement, a frame mounted upon one end of the coin slidefor bodily movement therewith, a guide on the frame, and an elongateinterceptor bar movable within limits established by the guide, said barbeing shiftable transversely of the path of reciprocation of the coinslide, between an operative position at which said bar strikes and movesthe starter arm to operative position, and an inoperative position atwhich said bar avoids striking said starter arm, upon reciprocation ofthe coin slide, a rocker element comprising a rocker arm and a rigidcazm follower, and means pivoting the rocker arm to an end of theinterceptor bar, whereby pivotal movement of the rocker element disposessaid interceptor bar to the operative and inoperative positions thereof,said interceptor bar when disposed to operative position and advanced bythe coin slide, being operative to strike the starter arm and move thelatter 'in the direction of overrun of the clutch, thereby leaving thestarter shaft immobile, a cam wheel rotatable upon the frame, aplurality of cams on said wheel each adapted, upon rotation of saidwheel, to abut and depress the cam follower for disposing theinterceptor bar to inoperative position, and means for impartingstep-rotation to the cam wheel incident to each retraction step-rotationto the cam wheel incident to each retraction of the coin slide, forexposing the follower to movement by the cams, the cams each being ofsuch length as to depress the follower during at least two successivereciprocations of the coin slide.

7. The device as set forth in claim 6, wherein the frame carrying thecam wheel, the rocker element, and the interceptor bar, is detachablefrom the coin slide for purpose of substitution.

8. A coin-controlled actuator for a service machine starter, whichstarter is depressable from a normal inoperative position to anoperative position, said actuator comprising in combination: an elongatecoin-receptive coin slide, and means supporting the coin slide formanual reciprocation between a normal position of retraction and anextended position of advancement, a frame detachably mounted upon oneend of the coin slide for bodily movement therewith, an elongateinterceptor having an end to contact and depress the starter tooperative position, means mounting the interceptor upon the frame forshifting movement of said end into and out of operating alignment withthe starter, whereby the interceptor may selectively engage or avoidengagement with the starter incident to full advancements of the coinslide, and means indexing the interceptor to alignment with the starteronly upon execution of a plural number of coin slide reciprocations.

9. The device as set forth in claim 3, wherein the combination includesmeans for cushioning the interceptor against excessive depression of thestarter while moving the starter to operative position.

10. A coin-controlled actuator for a service machine starter, whichstarter is longitudinally depressable from a normal inoperative positionto an operative position, said actuator comprising in combination: anelongate coinreceptive coin slide, and means supporting the coin slidefor manual reciprocation between a normal position of retraction and anextended position of advancement, a frame detachably mounted upon oneend of the coin slide for bodily movement therewith, an elongateinterceptor having an end to contact and longitudinally depress thestarter to operative position, means mounting the interceptor upon theframe for shifting movement of said end into and out of operatingalignment with the starter, whereby the interceptor may selectivelyengage or avoid engagement with the starter upon full advancement of thecoin slide, yielding means normally biasing the interceptor to aposition of disalignment with the starter, means operative upon eachretraction of the coin slide, for aligning the interceptor with thestarter, a latch on the frame movable to and from an obstructingposition with relation to the interceptor, for selectively holding theinterceptor in the aforesaid aligned position during a full advancementof the coin slide, and means operative once during a plural number ofcoin slide advancements, for maintaining the latch in unobstructingposition with relation to the interceptor.

11. The device as set forth in claim 10, wherein the combinationincludes means for cushioning the interceptor against excessivedepression of the starter while moving the starter to operativeposition.

12. A coin-controlled actuator for a service machine starter, whichstarter is longitudinally depressable from a normal inoperative positionto an operative position, said actuator comprising in combination: anelongate coinreceptive coin slide, and means supporting the coin slidefor manual reciprocation between a normal position of retraction and anextended position of advancement, a frame mounted upon one end of thecoin slide for bodily movement therewith, an elongate interceptor havinga free end to contact and longitudinally depress the starter tooperative position, said interceptor including a head, and a shankintermediate the head and said free end, guide means on the framesupporting the interceptor shank for shifting movement longitudinally ofthe coin slide, and laterally of said slide, yielding means operativeupon the interceptor head to normally bias the free end of theinterceptor laterally out of alignment with the starter, with said freeend projected in the general direction of coin slide advancement, anextending finger on the head, and a sta tionary abutment on the coinslide support to contact and move the finger for aligning the free endof the interceptor with the starter upon each full retraction of thecoin slide, a latch on the frame movable to and from an obstructingposition with relation to the interceptor, for selectively holding theinterceptor in the aligned position aforesaid during an advancement ofthe coin slide, means operative once during a plural number ofsuccessive coin slide advancements, for maintaining the latch inunobstructing position with relation to the interceptor, thereby to freethe interceptor to the biasing action of the yielding means aforesaid,and means operative during other coin slide advancements, for moving thelatch to obstructing position relative to the interceptor, and forholding the interceptor in operating alignment with the starter.

13. The device as set forth in claim 12, wherein the means lastmentioned comprises: a cam follower on the latch, a cam wheel rotatableupon the frame, a plurality of cams on said wheel each adapted, uponrotation of the cam wheel, to abut and depress the follower for shiftingthe latch from obstructing position relative to the interceptor, andmeans for imparting step-rotation to the cam wheel incident to eachcomplete reciprocation of the coin slide, for exposing the follower tomovement by the cams, said cams each being of such length as to depressthe follower once during at least two successive reciprocations of thecoin slide.

14. A coin-controlled actuator for a service machine starter, whichstarter is longitudinally depressable from a normal inoperative positionto an operative position, said actuator comprising in combination: anelongate coin-receptive coin slide, and means supporting the coin slidefor reciprocation between a normal position of retraction and anextended position of advancement, a frame mounted upon one end of thecoin slide for movement bodily therewith, an elongate interceptor havinga free end to contact and longitudinally depress the starter tooperative position, said interceptor including a head, and a shankintermediate the head and said free end, guide means on the framesupporting the interceptor shank for shifting movement laterally of thedirection of coin slide advancement, yielding means operative upon theinterceptor head to normally bias the free end of the interceptorlaterally out of alignment with the starter, at fixed extending fingeron the head, and a stationary abutment on the coin slide support tocontact and move the finger for aligning the free end of the interceptorWith the starter upon each full retraction of the coin slide, at latchpivoted upon the frame for movement to and from an obstructing positionwith relation to the interceptor, for selectively holding theinterceptor in the aligned position aforesaid during an advancement ofthe coin slide, means operative once during a plural number ofsuccessive coin slide advancements, for maintaining the latch inunobstructing position with relation to the interceptor, thereby to freethe interceptor to the biasing action of the yielding means aforesaid,and means operative during other coin slide advancements, for moving thelatch to obstructing position relative to the interceptor, and holdingthe interceptor in operating alignment with the starter.

15. The device as set forth in claim 14, wherein the combinationincludes means for cushioning the interceptor against excessivedepression of the starter While moving the starter to operativeposition.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 11/1964- Morriset al 194l 3/1966 Purtilo 194--9

1. A COIN-CONTROLLED ACTUATOR FOR A SERVICE MACHINE STARTER, WHICHSTARTER IS MOVABLE FROM A NORMALLY INOPERATIVE POSITION TO AN OPERATIVEPOSITION, SAID ACTUATOR COMPRISING IN COMBINATION: AN ELONGATECOIN-RECEPTIVE COIN SLIDE, A SUPPORT THEREFOR ALONG WHICH THE COIN SLIDEIS MANUALLY SHIFTABLE LONGITUDINALLY BETWEEN A NORMAL POSITION OFRETRACTION AND AN EXTENDED POSITION OF ADVANCEMENT, A STARTERINTERCEPTOR, MEANS ON THE COIN SLIDE SUPPORTING THE INTERCEPTOR FORDISPOSITION TO ONE OF TWO POSITIONS UPON EACH FULL ADVANCEMENT OF THECOIN SLIDE, AND, AT ONE OF WHICH POSITIONS THE INTERCEPTOR STRIKES ANDMOVES THE STARTER TO OPERATIVE POSITION, AND AT THE SECOND OF WHICHPOSITIONS THE INTERCEPTOR AVOIDS MOVING THE STARTER TO OPERATIVEPOSITION, AND MEANS INDEXING THE INTERCEPTOR TO OPERATIVE POSITION ONLYUPON EXECUTION OF A PLURAL NUMBER OF COIN SLIDE RECIPROCATIONS.